Reference

Music detective Jim Dawson reveals the real story of rock 'n' roll's beginnings like it's never been told before. It's all here, from the song's murky origins and Bill Haley's early struggles as a professional musician, to the record's explosion through motion pictures like The Blackboard Jungle and Haley's resulting success and eventual burnout. Dawson makes the case that Rock Around the Clock - besides being the first national No. 1 rock 'n' roll hit - killed Tin Pan Alley and heralded the beginning of modern youth culture.

The late Lowell George is best known as the lead singer, slide guitarist, songwriter and producer of Little Feat. George's humor and surreal lyrics became a Little Feat trademark, making songs like Fat Man in the Bathtub and Dixie Chicken unforgettable. Rock and Roll Doctor explores the genius that animated Little Feat - from George's early bands to his work with Frank Zappa, landmark albums such as Feats Don't Fail Me Now and The Last Record Album, and his later production work with Linda Ronstadt and the Grateful Dead. George's colorful childhood is covered in depth - as is his solo career after Little Feat that was cut short tragically. Each Little Feat album is treated to a separate chapter that examines the development of every song - how it was conceived, recorded and produced. The analysis of Little Feat's complex rhythms will fascinate musicians and fans alike. inch.Lowell George was the best singer, songwriter and guitar player I have ever heard, hands down, in my life. inch. - Bonnie Raitt

Roy Buchanan was a guitarist's guitarist who shunned fame for a musical odyssey on America's roadhouse circuit with his battered Telecaster - melding blues, country, jazz and rock like no player before or since. This is a compelling road trip through the gritty world of honky tonks and beer joints where this enigmatic journeyman preferred to play. Readers meet the biggest names in pop music and legions of unknowns along the way, from the dawn of rock 'n' roll to Buchanan's puzzling death in 1988. We just sat there aghast ... It was some of the best playing I've ever heard ... He defied all the laws of verse-chorus-verse and just blazed. - Jeff Beck Roy was one of the creators in the pioneering of unusual sounds. It seemed as though I was hearing them come first from Roy Buchanan. - Les Paul

This book reassesses Miles Davis' electric period and analyzes its continuing influence on contemporary music. While jazz purists often revile this phase - which encompasses the entire second half of his career, from 1967 until his death in 1991 - this book takes a new, appreciative look at this music and shows its importance to Davis' career and to jazz as a whole. The author also reveals surprising connections between Davis, Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone, particularly the ways they fed each other's creativity. This book will stir up the longtime debate about this important music and give Davis' legions of fans refreshing insights into his work.

Sing My Way Home explores the ascendance of American roots rock and its signature artists, past and present. The book traces the movement's antecedents and profiles the visionary singer-songwriters and musicians who, over the past three decades, have made it an extraordinary, thriving genre. Every chapter includes a playlist to guide readers in downloading and building their own mix tapes. This is a book that will transform novice fans into experts and enrich their understanding of great singer-songwriters and performers.

Launched by the fledgling Fender company in 1950, the Telecaster has become the longest-lived solidbody electric guitar, played by everyone from Muddy Waters to Chrissie Hynde. All who play know that the key to the Telecaster's importance and versatility is its sheer simplicity. Packed with high-quality photographs of the great Telecasters, collectable catalogs, period press ads, and memorabilia, this tribute tells the story of the Telecaster and the Fender Company through exclusive interviews with Fender figures who were there when this musical star was born.

The definitive biography of one of the most revered guitarists of his generation. Duane Allman brought white-hot intensity to his life, onstage, in the studio, and beyond. Skydog reveals the complete story of Duane Allman, from his early struggles and his session days, to the formation of the Allman Brothers Band and his tragic early death at age 24. Skydog also includes a comprehensive discography, a meticulously researched roundup of his studio and stage instruments, and a look at the continuing lives and careers of Allman's friends and bandmates.

Now in paperback - revised and expanded, with a new afterword by the author - this is the definitive biography of Duane Allman, one of the most revered guitarists of his generation. Skydog reveals the complete story of the legendary guitarist: his childhood and musical awakening; his struggling first bands; his hard-won mastery of the slide guitar; his emergence as a successful session musician; his creation of the Allman Brothers Band; his tragic death at age 24; and his thriving musical legacy.

Another entry in the Fretmaster series, this book teaches you both the history and technique of slide guitar's masters, such as Brian Jones, Lowell George, Bonnie Raitt, and Robert Johnson. While exploring their musical lives and legacy, Slide Guitar provides lessons that give you the skills and encouragement you need to emulate these musical heroes. The accompanying CD offers specially recorded backing tracks in blues, folk, country, and rock, allowing you to play along in your favorite style and explore new sounds. Hardcover, spiral-bound.

Bruce Springsteen is one of today's great songwriters, with a style that is all his own. This book uses his work as the starting point for a master class in the art of writing powerful - and successful - songs. Songwriting guru Rikky Rooksby takes Springsteen's songs apart and shows how the common techniques they use can help you: structure intros, verses, choruses and bridges write songs using anything from two to seven chords arrange instruments for maximum effect mimic the sound of Springsteen's chords write lyrics that ring true and hit home. This book will change the way you listen to Springsteen's songs and revitalize the way you write your own.